ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 367 
their large brown heads, whistling Wigeon (Pfeifenten), White- 
eyed Pochards (Moorenten), Velvet Ducks (Sammetenten), Scoters 
(Trauenten), and Hider Ducks (Hider-enten), which provide such 
luxurious down, cross the water in all directions ; while numerous 
Gulls (Méven), of the Common (Sturm), Herring (Silber), and 
Black-backed (Mantel) species, sail at various altitudes through 
the air. 
But now “ Helios” is directing his fiery steeds homewards, 
warning us also to return to our homesteads. On the way we 
meet with a solitary Merganser (Sdgetaucher), called “ Norh” 
by the people on the coast. A poor fishing-boat, heavily laden 
with spoil, follows in our wake. The nets have gathered a rich 
harvest among the Scaup Ducks (Bergtauchenten), which were 
seeking for crustacea and mollusca at the bottom of the sea. 
(To be continued.) 
ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 
By Proressor A. 8. Pacxarp.* 
THE impression that the Domestic Dog of the Old World has 
descended from wild species distinct from the Wolf may be well 
founded ;t+ but in America the evidence tends to prove that the 
Eskimo and other domestic varieties of dogs were domesticated 
by the Aborigines, and used by them long anterior to the 
discovery of the Continent by the Europeans, the varieties in 
question originating from the Gray Wolf or Prairie Wolf. 
First, as to the Eskimo Dog. From the following extract, 
from Frobisher, it appears evident that the Eskimo had the 
present breed of domestic dogs long anterior to the year 1577. 
Frobisher’s account of the Eskimo themselves is, so far as we 
know, the first extant, and is full and characteristic. After 
describing the natives, he goes on to say :—“ They frank or keepe 
certaine dogs not much unlike wolves, which they yoke togither, 
as we do oxen and horses, to a sled or traile: and so carry their 
necessaries over the yce and snow from place to place: as the 
captive whom we have made perfect signes. And when these 
* From ‘The American Naturalist,’ September, 1885, pp. 896—901. 
+ See ‘The Zoologist,’ 1884, p. 398. 
